Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health Solutions

A Comprehensive Review of Waterborne Viral Infections and their Public Health Implications

2026-05-30T16:37:04-06:00

Waterborne viral diseases remain a major public health burden and a leading cause of mortality across all age groups, particularly in developing countries where access to safe water and sanitation is limited. These infections commonly manifest as gastroenteritis and are caused by viruses such as hepatitis A and E viruses, poliovirus, rotavirus, coxsackievirus, adenovirus, norovirus, and astrovirus. Clinical symptoms typically include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, fever, fatigue, and, in some cases, jaundice. Transmission occurs predominantly through the faecal–oral route, often via ingestion of contaminated water or food, as well as through direct contact with infected individuals or contaminated surfaces. The persistence and spread of these pathogens are closely linked to poor hygiene practices, inadequate waste disposal, and insufficient water treatment systems. Effective prevention strategies include the provision of clean and safe drinking water, improved sanitation infrastructure, vaccination programs, proper food handling, safe water storage, routine water quality testing, and continuous public health education. Early detection and appropriate clinical management are also essential in reducing morbidity and mortality associated with these infections. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the epidemiology, transmission pathways, clinical manifestations, and pathogenesis of common waterborne viral diseases, alongside current preventive and therapeutic approaches. Addressing this global health challenge requires coordinated efforts from local communities, governments, and international health organizations to implement sustainable interventions and strengthen public health systems.

Knowledge and Utilization of WHO Childbirth Checklist by Nurses and Midwives in Selected Public Hospitals in Lagos Metropolis

2026-05-27T08:39:53-06:00

Background: This paper discussed the knowledge and use of the WHO Childbirth Checklist among in-service nurses and midwives in chosen public hospitals located in the Lagos Metropolis, Lagos State, Nigeria.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. The study included a total of 146 nurses and midwives working in tertiary (LASUTH and LUTH), secondary (Alimosho, Ikorodu, Randle General Hospitals), and primary (Ifako, Obawole PHCs) health facilities through convenience sampling. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and the mean score were computed and significance level set at p < 0.05.

Result: Result: Only 35.6% of the respondents had received formal training on the WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist (SCC). Overall, 28.8% demonstrated good knowledge, 46.6% had moderate knowledge, while 24.6% had poor knowledge. Utilization was generally low, with 16.4% reporting high utilization, 28.8% moderate utilization, and 54.8% low utilization. The relationship between knowledge and utilization was statistically significant (χ² = 38.64, p = 0.001). The major barriers identified were lack of training (mean = 3.16), heavy workload (mean = 3.15), and inadequate materials (mean = 3.07). Key facilitators included regular refresher training (mean = 3.32), teamwork (mean = 3.14), and peer support (mean = 3.10). Respondents who had received formal training demonstrated significantly better knowledge (53.8% vs. 14.9%) and higher utilization (34.6% vs. 6.4%) compared with untrained respondents.

Conclusion: The collection of information and the implementation of the WHO checklist for births by nurses and midwives in the public hospitals of Lagos is relatively low, plagued by a massive gap found in many of hospitals. Extensive activities, such as advocacy and popularity campaigns, controlling training to be made mandatory, tackling the issue of overcrowding, and improving management assistance and increasing the integration of the resources, are required to give a further boost to the checklist entry and maternal-neonate safety.

Combating Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Plasmid Curing Potentials of Novel Termicin Peptides from Termite Gut

2026-05-26T12:20:35-06:00

The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa has become a critical public health threat, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies such as plasmid curing. This study aimed to investigate the plasmid-curing potentials of novel termicin peptides extracted from termite gut against MDR P. aeruginosa isolated from fish pond water samples in Uli community, Anambra State, Nigeria. A total of 100 water samples were collected, and bacterial isolates were characterized using cultural, morphological, biochemical, and molecular methods. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the disk diffusion method, followed by plasmid curing using termicin peptide at concentrations ranging from 30% to 90%. Three isolates (PA03, PA065, and PA076) were confirmed as P. aeruginosa with >99% sequence identity. The isolates exhibited a multidrug resistance rate of 82.35% and an overall resistance rate of 43.59%. The termicin peptide demonstrated a concentration-dependent curing effect, with complete curing achieved for isolate PA076 at 80% concentration, while isolate PA065 remained partially resistant (7.14%) even at 90%. Statistical analysis revealed that the curing effect was significantly dependent on termicin concentration (one-way ANOVA, F = 28.47, p < 0.001), and significant differences in curing susceptibility were observed among the three isolates (p = 0.021). Therefore, termicin peptides from termite gut effectively cured resistance plasmids from MDR P. aeruginosa in a concentration-dependent manner. However, further molecular studies are required to confirm plasmid elimination. This study contributes to knowledge by being the first to report the plasmid curing potential of termite gut-derived termicin peptides against MDR P. aeruginosa, offering a promising alternative strategy to combat antimicrobial resistance.

Dual Approach Therapy: Assessing Cecropin-Like Peptides from Rhynchophorus phornicis Gut and Ciprofloxacin Synergy against Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhi

2026-05-26T11:49:27-06:00

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) causes typhoid fever, with 11–21 million cases and up to 161,000 deaths annually. Rising multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant strains limit treatment, while declining ciprofloxacin susceptibility increases clinical failures. Data on combined effects of cecropin-like peptides from Rhynchophorus phoenicis gut and ciprofloxacin against S. Typhi are lacking. This study assessed synergy between cecropin-like peptides extracted from R. phoenicis gut and ciprofloxacin against clinical S. Typhi strains to determine optimal ratios. Fish pond water samples from Uli, Anambra State, Nigeria were cultured on SSA. Five S. Typhi isolates were characterized morphologically, biochemically, and by 16S rRNA sequencing. Cecropin-like peptides were extracted from R. phoenicis gut using solvent extraction and TLC. Peptide and ciprofloxacin (1.0 mg/mL) were combined at 9:1 to 1:9 ratios. MICs were determined by microtube dilution. All isolates were Gram-negative rods confirmed as S. Typhi with 100% 16S rRNA identity to reference strains. Cecropin-like peptide alone had MICs of 0.250–0.500. Combinations at 2:8 and 3:7 peptide:ciprofloxacin ratios reduced MICs 16 to 62.5 fold, with ST25 decreasing from 0.250 to 0.004. ANOVA showed significant MIC reduction across ratios for all strains (F = 21.4–29.8, df = 10, p < 0.001). Post-hoc tests indicated 6:4 to 1:9 combinations were significantly more potent than peptide alone (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Cecropin-like peptide–ciprofloxacin combinations, especially 2:8 to 3:7, exhibited significant synergy against MDR S. Typhi, with sub-inhibitory ciprofloxacin potentiating peptide activity. This provides first evidence of cecropin-like peptide–ciprofloxacin synergy against S. Typhi, supporting dual peptide-antibiotic therapy for typhoid resistance.

Determinants of Delayed Healthcare-Seeking Along the Care Pathway and their Association with Lassa Fever Severity in West Africa: A Systematic Review

2026-05-19T12:04:23-06:00

Objective: Lassa fever, an acute viral disease, is most commonly transmitted through contact with infected rodents or contaminated objects; West Africa in particular is mostly affected by Lassa fever. It initially presents generic symptoms, which when not diagnosed and treated quickly and effectively, may have a severe outcome and cause death. This study has comprehensively examined factors affecting delay in seeking medical attention along the treatment pathway and how they are correlated with the severity of the Lassa fever in West Africa.

Method: A comprehensive literature search was conducted with the PRISMA methodology, by using Google Scholar and with the help of some manual search. This gave a total of 56 studies with 12 meeting the inclusion criteria after rigorous screening. The different studies included different designs such as cohort, cross-sectional, qualitative, mixed-method, modelling, and review studies. There was methodological variability which prompted the use of a narrative synthesis technique.

Result: Findings indicated that delayed healthcare-seeking is driven by a multifactorial relationship of intersections of sociodemographic, sociocultural, economic, psychological, and health system-related influences. Little knowledge about Lassa fever, stigma, reliance on alternative medicines, financial constraints, distance, and reliance of referral networks and the lack of confidence in medical services played critical roles. Some of the steps of the care pathway that featured delays included patient delays (between onset of symptoms and first contact), decision delays (between recognition and decision to seek care), access delays (between accessing healthcare facilities), and system level delays (between referral and starting treatment). Studies have consistently demonstrated that there is a close relation between the delay in seeking medical care and deterioration of disease. Delays of more than 11 days were significantly related to severe disease and increased death with the smallest delay related to worsening outcomes approximating about 6 days post-onset of symptoms. Reported case fatality as high as 13.6% in late presenters was a significant clinical risk.

Conclusion: In general, the study demonstrates that time lag at any stage of the care pathway accumulates to issue a poor prognosis, which underlines the importance of targeted efforts aimed at mitigation of institutional and individual barriers to timely care in West Africa.

Determinants of Condom Use among Undergraduates: Factors Influencing Condom Use and Demographic Correlates in Rivers State University

2026-04-25T23:40:33-06:00

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a major public health concern among young adults in Nigeria, with inconsistent condom use contributing significantly to transmission of HIV, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and other infections. University undergraduates, experiencing increased sexual autonomy and peer influence, represent a high-risk group despite generally high awareness of preventive measures.

Objective: This study examined the determinants of condom use, key influencing factors, and demographic correlates (gender, age, and level of study) among undergraduate students at Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed. Using Yamane’s formula, a sample of 395 students was drawn from five randomly selected departments across five faculties (total population 5,062) via multi-stage simple random sampling. Data were collected through a structured electronic questionnaire (Google Forms) distributed via departmental platforms. The instrument comprised four sections: demographics, awareness of condoms/STIs, attitudes toward condom use, and influencing factors. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, means) and a 4-point Likert scale (criterion mean 2.50) were used for analysis, with Pearson’s product-moment correlation applied to test relationships between demographics and awareness/attitude.

Results: Respondents were predominantly female (58.0%), aged 21–25 years (44.6%), and in 300–400 levels (60.0%). Awareness of condoms as an effective STI prevention method was high and independent of gender and age. Key influencing factors included affordability/accessibility (mean 2.59) and availability of awareness programmes (2.52), but significant barriers were embarrassment in purchasing/carrying condoms (2.62), reduced pleasure (2.54), inconvenience/spontaneity disruption (2.52), and discomfort discussing use with providers (2.47). Grand mean of 2.54 indicated overall significance of these factors. Level of study showed a positive, statistically significant correlation with favourable attitudes (p ≤ 0.01), particularly negotiation confidence and support for open discussion.

Conclusion: While awareness is widespread, psychosocial and situational barriers hinder consistent condom use. Level of study emerged as a key positive correlate. Targeted campus interventions—peer education, free condom distribution, curriculum integration, and youth-friendly services—are recommended to bridge the knowledge-practice gap and enhance STI prevention among undergraduates.